Page 61 of Austin

Jalynn flies in between us, holding out her hands to each of our chests like she’s trying to part the Red Sea between us. “Guys, stop it right now. Beckett, go back inside. Austin, I told you to leave.”

I give her a shit-eating grin. “No, you told me you couldn’t come downstairs. You didn’t say to leave.”

She rolls her eyes and lightly pushes me away, but I know she’s fighting back a laugh. I don’t care if it is because she’s annoyed with me. At least I got a reaction out of her.

“Just go,” she tries to say without a smile as she pulls Beckett away from me.

“Nope. I told you. No can do. I need you tonight.” I put my hands in my pockets, standing my ground and acting like I’m not going anywhere until she gets in my car.

“And she told you, she’s not going anywhere with you. Leave her alone,” Beckett grunts.

“That’s not what she was saying last night,” I taunt. I know it’s an asshole move, but the look on his face is so worth it.

Jalynn forcefully turns him while glaring at me. “Really, Austin?”

“Hey, I’m just a man, trying to get my girl to go out with me. Is that too much to ask?” My voice is flippant.

“Your girl?” Beckett charges at me again, but Jalynn holds him back.

“Yep. You heard me. My. Girl.” I step up to him, begging for him to push me, hit more, do something!

“You’d really date this douche bag?” He turns to her instead.

“Yes, Beckett. I kinda like the douche bag.” She’s holding her shoulders back and her chin high.

Beckett throws his hands in the air. “Fine, just do what you want.” He storms off, out the front door, finally leaving me alone with Jalynn.

I smile brightly, holding my hand out to her. “So, you ready?” I ask as nonchalantly as possible, like none of that just went down.

She shakes her head, rubbing her hands down her face, letting out a tiny scream. “You can be so infuriating sometimes, you know that?”

“Yep, sure do. But, as you said, you like this douche bag.” I step to the side to avoid her kick to my shin. “Now that we’ve got that covered, let’s go.”

“I need my purse,” she says as a way to stall.

“No, you don’t. I have all the cash or things you’ll ever need. And I hope you’re not on your period anymore”—I raise my eyebrows to her—“so you don’t need to bring anything. Now, let’s go.”

I head toward the door and chuckle at her sigh and tiny stomp in frustration. When I stop at the top of the stairwell door, I wait, knowing she’s right behind me. She doesn’t say anything as she struts past me, so I grab her ass—hard—making sure she knows shit is going down and that I’m ready to play.

14

JALYNN

Saison is one of the most sought-after restaurants in San Francisco, and just from the decor, I can see why. Broad redwood beams and trusses support a cathedral ceiling while clusters of potted trees and frosted glass doors align the exterior.

Austin escorts me into the restaurant and to a table in the center, overlooking the open kitchen. I’d think a family as powerful as the Sextons would want a corner spot, away from prying eyes. According to Austin, the table placement is by design.

“Missy loves to be the center of attention,” he says as he pushes my seat into the table. “She also likes to be fashionably late, so everyone is watching when she walks into the room.”

“Is that why you took the scenic route, getting here?”

“That, and I like the way your legs look, curled up in my passenger seat.”

My body ignites from the way he runs a smooth hand along my thigh. I’m fighting the chill of gooseflesh when Missy and Edward Sexton appear at the entrance of the restaurant and walk toward us.

There’s no denying that Missy Sexton is a gorgeous woman. Bleach-blonde hair that’s ironed straight and contoured makeup that would make a Kardashian jealous. Around the office, she wears provocative power suits. Tonight, she went for straight sexy in a skintight white dress, exposing cleavage. Lots and lots of cleavage.

“Austin, you brought a date?” Missy says in a stunned tone as she approaches the table. “How quaint.”